Containment/exclusion barrier system with infuser adaptation to water intake system

ABSTRACT

A water filtering system includes: a water intake system including a plurality of inlets in fluid communication with a water intake pump; and a containment/exclusion boom including (i) a support system positioned in a body of water, (ii) a curtain including a sheet of flexible fabric material that allows movement of water therethrough, the curtain having upper and lower ends with the upper end being connected to the support system, and (iii) means for maintaining the lower end of the curtain substantially against the floor of a body of water; wherein the curtain surrounds substantially all of the plurality of inlets and wherein, upon operation of the water intake pump, water is drawn through the curtain at which time the water is filtered, and subsequently filtered water is drawn through the plurality of inlets for delivery into the water intake system.

[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional PatentApplication Serial No. 60/344,539 filed Nov. 7, 2001, which is herebyincorporated by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The present invention relates to a method and apparatus forexcluding suspended particulates and/or aquatic life from entrainmentinto a cooling system water intake site of a facility using industrialwater.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] Industrial plants and power plants utilize water from nearbywater sources for cooling purposes. Aquatic life (e.g., fish, fish eggs,larvae, zebra mussels, vegetation, etc.) in the surrounding water bodyis often negatively impacted by entrainment within the cooling systemwater intakes. Cooling systems are also negatively impacted by theentrainment of sediments and debris from the surrounding water body.Entrained contaminants within the cooling systems can result in systemfailures due to damaged components and costly shut-downs for frequentmaintenance and/or repairs.

[0004] Floating barrier or containment/exclusion boom systems have beeninstalled at these water intakes to deal with these problems. These boomsystems are optimal for some situations, but the size of the system canbe a problem when the boom system encroaches upon navigable waters. Forexample, in circumstances when a large volume of water is drawn throughthe containment/exclusion boom system and into a water intake system,the traditional containment/exclusion boom system can encroach upon thewater intake structure. It is often necessary, therefore, to move thecontainment/exclusion boom system further away from the water intakestructure, thereby encroaching upon navigable waters and creatinghazards to navigation. Thus, it would be desirable to produce analternative filtration system which avoids this problem.

[0005] The present invention is directed toward overcoming thesedeficiencies.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] A first aspect of the present invention relates to a filteringsystem for filtering intake water of a water intake system. Thefiltering system includes: a water intake system comprising a pluralityof inlets in fluid communication with a water intake pump; and acontainment/exclusion boom including (i) a support system positioned ina body of water, (ii) a curtain comprising a sheet of flexible fabricmaterial that allows movement of water therethrough, the curtain havingupper and lower ends with the upper end being connected to the supportsystem, and (iii) means for maintaining the lower end of the curtainsubstantially against the floor of a body of water; wherein the curtainsurrounds substantially all of the plurality of inlets and wherein, uponoperation of the water intake pump, water is drawn through the curtainat which time the water is filtered, and subsequently filtered water isdrawn through the plurality of inlets for delivery into the water intakesystem.

[0007] A second aspect of the present invention relates to one preferredembodiment of the present invention, which is a combination boat dockand water filtering system. The combined structure includes a waterfiltering system of the present invention, with the support structurebeing in the form of a boat dock.

[0008] A third aspect of the present invention relates to a method offiltering water entering a water intake system. The method includes:providing a water delivery system including a plurality of inlets in abody of water that are in fluid communication with a water intake pump;installing a containment/exclusion boom into the body of water in amanner surrounding substantially all of the plurality of inlets, thecontainment/exclusion including (i) a support system adjacent theplurality of inlets, (ii) a curtain including a sheet of flexible fabricmaterial that allows movement of water therethrough, the curtain havingupper and lower ends with the upper end being connected to the supportsystem, and (iii) means for maintaining the lower end of the curtainsubstantially against the floor of the body of water; and drawing waterthrough the water intake system, whereby water entering the water intakesystem is drawn through the curtain, thereby filtering the water, priorto passing through the plurality of inlets for delivery into the waterintake system.

[0009] The filtration systems of the present invention offer a number ofadvantages over full length containment/exclusion boom systems used inconjunction with conventional water intake systems. In particular, dueto the installation of a plurality of primary water intake conduits(which thereby diffuse the amount of water entering any single intakesite), a boom curtain can be installed closer to the primary intakeconduits. As a result, the boom curtain can be located closer to theshoreline and further from navigable waters. This is of significantimportance in various industries that employ water-cooling systems, whowill be able to utilize the filtration system of the present inventionto comply with governmental regulations (regarding exclusion of aquaticbiota) rather than installing expensive dry cooling towers. Moreover,the support structure used to support the boom curtain can beconstructed for multiple uses, including the installation of dockingslips for use as municipal or private marinas.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010]FIG. 1 is a plan view of a barrier system to an infuser adapter ofa water intake system in accordance with one embodiment of the presentinvention.

[0011]FIG. 2 is a cross sectional view along line 2-2 of FIG. 1.

[0012]FIG. 3 is a plan view of a barrier system to an infuser adapter ofa water intake system in accordance with another embodiment of thepresent invention.

[0013]FIG. 4 is a cross sectional view along line 4-4 of FIG. 3.

[0014]FIG. 5 is a cross sectional view of an third embodiment of thepresent invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0015] The present invention relates to a system designed for filtrationof water taken up by a water intake system.

[0016] The system of the present invention is specifically intended toadapt existing water intake systems or otherwise be used on new waterintake structures. In particular, an existing water intake system isadapted by installing a water delivery system comprising a plurality ofinlets in fluid communication with a water intake pump of an existingwater intake system. More specifically, the water delivery systemincludes a main collector pipe attached to the existing water intakestructure by welding or any other appropriate method of attachment. Themain collector pipe, after attachment to the existing water intake, maybe placed anywhere throughout the full water column or buried beneaththe floor. Existing structures of the cooling system water intaketypically will dictate its placement. The length of the main collectorpipe is dictated by individual project design, i.e., shoreline contours,bottom contours, etc.

[0017] In addition, primary water intake pipes are located along themain collector pipe at intervals indicated by the specific projectdesign. The primary intake pipes define the inlet into the modifiedwater intake system. The diameter of pipe used for both the maincollector pipe and the primary intake pipes is dictated by specificproject design (i.e., volume of water required) and are welded orotherwise secured in place. All pipe used is steel or any otherappropriate material, such as concrete. The primary intake pipes mayextend from the main collector pipe at any angle, horizontally,vertically, or any angle in between.

[0018] The support system is preferably a permanent or semi-permanentsupport system, more preferably a floating type system. The supportsystem typically includes a plurality of vertical pilings in one or morerows and horizontal supports connected to the vertical pilings toaccommodate its floating nature (i.e., rise and fall of the horizontalsupports). The horizontal support systems can include weight-bearingsurfaces, non-weight surfaces, and combinations thereof. By non-weightbearing surface, it is intended that the surface is a covering materialthat cannot support the weight of an average person. Suitable coveringmaterials include, without limitation, both permeable materials, such asthe geotextile materials described below, and non-permeable materials,such as tank liners formed of polyvinyl or other similar materials.

[0019] In accordance with particularly preferred floating supportsystems, the support system also doubles as a dock with a plurality ofslips or otherwise with a plurality of locations where boats can besecured.

[0020] Alternatively, a buoyant system can also be utilized that doesnot include vertical or horizontal support members. Instead, a floatingsupport system can be used that includes a plurality of conventionalflotation units such as inflatable devices, air bags, and floats madefrom buoyant materials, such as cork, synthetic foams, and otherplastics. However, conventional devices may not perform adequately underadverse conditions. It has been found that under adverse conditions,expanded polystyrene (“EPS”) is especially suitable for use as theflotation unit. It is desirable to coat or seal the EPS to preventdeterioration associated with prolonged exposure to the elements. EPS iscommercially available from ARCO Chemical Company as DYLITE® and can beformed or molded into flotation units of various sizes and shapes (e.g.,cylindrical, square, etc.) as required by project design. The EPS has apositive buoyancy that keeps the flotation unit substantially above thewater surface at all times, allowing the flotation unit to ride thewaves, even in adverse conditions. An EPS flotation unit is not deformedby wave action and does not lose buoyancy if punctured, as would aninflatable device. A single cubic foot of EPS can support as much as 60lbs. A commonly used size of flotation unit of EPS is an 8″ to 12″diameter cylindrical configuration, but the size can be readily adaptedto meet specific wave and environmental conditions and depthrequirements.

[0021] The flexible fabric material is preferably formed of ageosynthetic fabric, such as a geotextile material. Geosynthetic fabricis “hydrophobic” and “water-pervious,” meaning that water passes throughthe fabric. The hydrophobic property of geosynthetic fabric permits thepassage of water current therethrough without the fibers absorbing waterand swelling, which would reduce the permitivity.

[0022] Geosynthetic fabrics are commercially available in a range oftensile strengths, permeabilities, and permitivities, and are useful forthe purposes of the invention throughout those ranges.

[0023] Depending upon the environmental, tidal, wave and currentconditions, anticipated load requirements, and other parameters, theappropriate geosynthetic fabric can be selected to meet the specificdesign requirements for a given containment/exclusion project design.

[0024] Geosynthetic fabric may be prepared using one or a combination ofvarious polymers, for example polyester, polypropylene, polyamides, andpolyethylene. Most commercially available geosynthetic fabrics arepolypropylene or polyester. Examples of suitable nonwoven geosyntheticfabrics include, but are not limited to, AMOPAVE® 4399, AMOPAVE® HD4597, 4545, 4553, and 4561 (all polypropylene fabrics commerciallyavailable from Amoco Fabrics and Fibers Company); Typar®, apolypropylene fabric commercially available from Dupont; TREVIRA®Spunbond, a polyester fabric commercially available from Hoechst FibersIndustries. Examples of suitable woven geosynthetic fabrics include, butare not limited to, 1380 SILT STOP®, 1198, 1199, 2090, 2000, 2006 (allpolypropylene fabrics commercially available from Amoco Fabrics andFibers Company). The geosynthetic fabrics are nonbiodegradable, so theydo not deteriorate due to environmental exposure. During prolonged use,exposure to ultraviolet (UV) light may cause some geosynthetic fabricsto weaken or deteriorate. However, UV-resistant fabrics are commerciallyavailable as well as UV resistance treatment methods.

[0025] It is preferred that the flexible fabric material ismulti-layered, with the multiple layers being formed of the samegeosynthetic material or different geosynthetic materials. Thus, a wovengeosynthetic material can be used in combination with a non-wovengeosynthetic material, two different woven geosynthetic materials can beused, or two different non-woven geosynthetic materials can be used. Themulti-layered flexible fabric material can also be segmented intoindividual panels (i.e., at least two such panels) by stitching, heatsealing, or otherwise physically connecting the two sheets together. Thephysical structure of the materials can also be modified to affect flowrates therethrough, as taught in U.S. patent application Ser. No.09/168,491 to Gunderson et al., filed Oct. 8, 1998, which is herebyincorporated by reference in its entirety.

[0026] When a two-layered (or multi-layered) flexible fabric material isemployed, a gas injection system which includes a source of compressedgas in fluid communication with at least one outlet positioned betweenthe two layers of flexible fabric material. A gas injection system ofthis type is disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/168,491 toGunderson et al., filed Oct. 8, 1998, which is hereby incorporated byreference in its entirety. When the two-layered (or multi-layered) sheetof flexible material is segmented into individual panels, each panel maybe equipped with its own outlet of the gas injection system. The gasinjection system can be used to clean the filter panels of sediments andremove impinging aquatic organisms to maintain adequate water flow. Thebubbling action of the expanding air rising up through the curtainpanels shakes and cleans the filter fabric of any sediment and/oraquatic life which may be impinged thereon. (During cleaning, waterfiltration typically will not be occurring so that the injected air willbe allowed to pass externally of the fabric material rather thanexclusively in the direction of the arrows shown in FIGS. 2, 4, and 5.)

[0027] The flexible fabric material is preferably connected to the frameby bolting, clamps, fasteners, lacing or any other appropriateattachment method which allows its removal and replacement, ifnecessary. A plurality of such connections can be made.

[0028] The boom of the present invention can also include additionalfeatures or components which are known and disclosed, for example, inU.S. Pat. No. 5,102,261 to Gunderson, III, which is hereby incorporatedby reference in its entirety. Exemplary of such additional features orcomponents include: tow cords, which are used for towing floating boomsinto position in a body of water or simply from one location to another;and connector straps (preferably with industrial hook-and-loop fasteningstrips), which are used to connect two lengths of the boom together toform a single continuous structure having overlapping curtainstructures.

[0029] The boom curtain can also be fabricated using pleated curtains,as described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/283,384 to Dreyer,filed Oct. 29, 2002, which is hereby incorporated by reference in itsentirety.

[0030] The boom curtain can also include a Y-panel anchoring system asdisclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/134,359 to Dreyer,filed Apr. 26, 2002, which is hereby incorporated by reference in itsentirety.

[0031] Different portions of the boom curtain can be connected togetherusing zipper connections, as disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser.No. 10/270,798 to Dreyer, filed Oct. 11, 2002, which is herebyincorporated by reference in its entirety.

[0032] The vertical dimension of the curtain can be increased bysecuring additional sheets of geosynthetic fabric together along theircoextending edges until the desired height is obtained.

[0033] Sewing or heat fusion of the geosynthetic material can be used toform the sleeves, to connect multiple sheets together to add additionalheight, or to attach the tow cords, stirrups for attaching chains oranchors lines, etc. The geosynthetic fabric can be sewn with aconventional industrial sewing machine, and heat fusion can beaccomplished with an industrial iron. Heat fusion can also beaccomplished by puncturing or piercing through the overlappedgeosynthetic fabric with a soldering iron. Good, strong connections havebeen made this way.

[0034] Ballasts such as lengths of steel chain (from less than ⅛ inch toover ¾ inch) and steel cable (from less than ¾ inch to over 1½ inches indiameter) have been used. Of course, chains and cables of greater orless diameter may be used to meet the specific requirements of a projectdesign. Alternatively, anchors and cables can be used to maintain thebottom of the curtain against the bottom of the body of water. Theballast can be received within a portion of the boom curtain sections orotherwise connected to the lower edge thereof (e.g., tied with wire orother means).

[0035] Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2, a filtration system 10 inaccordance with one embodiment of the present invention is disclosed.The filtration system includes a water intake system 12 and acontainment/exclusion boom that includes a support system 14, a boomcurtain 16, and a gas injection system 18.

[0036] The water intake system 12 includes a main collector pipe 22having a plurality of substantially equi-spaced primary intake pipes 24,and optional shut-off valves for each primary intake pipe, all of whichare coupled to an existing water intake system 26 (that contains thepumps and conduits for delivering water throughout the industrial site).

[0037] The support system 14 of the containment/exclusion boom includesa plurality of vertical pilings 28 and a floating structure connectedthereto, with the floating structure covering the area of the body ofwater that is contained by the curtain. (see FIG. 2).

[0038] The vertical pilings 28 are secured into the floor of the body ofwater using conventional techniques. As shown, the plurality of pilingsare present in a single row. Each vertical piling includes a collar 30which freely slides along the length of the vertical piling in thedirection of the arrows shown in FIG. 2. Collar 30 is used to connectthe floating structure to the vertical pilings 28.

[0039] The floating structure includes a pair of floating pipes 32spaced apart from one another, a plurality of struts 34 spanning betweenthe pair of floating pipes, and a covering material 36 that encloses theregion between the pair of floating pipes. The floating structure can beformed from a number of discrete sections that are connected together ora single continuous floating structure can be utilized.

[0040] The floating pipes 32 are steel, aluminum or thermoplastic pipesthat have been sealed. The floating pipes are of suitable diameter toprovide the desired buoyancy. Alternatively, instead of using pipes, abuoyant material of the type described above, e.g., EPS, can beutilized.

[0041] The struts 34 are preferably formed of the same materials thatcan be used to form the floating pipes. The struts can be connected tothe floating pipes by mechanical connection (e.g., sealed bolts, orstraps or other lashing tied or secured with mating hook and loopfasteners) or otherwise welding the components together.

[0042] Secured over the entire floating structure is a non-walking cover36 of the type describe above. The cover 36 can be attached to thestruts and floating pipes by straps or lashing.

[0043] Connected to the floating structure is the containment/exclusionboom curtain 16. The curtain 16 is formed of two sheets of geosyntheticmaterial secured together by sewing, heat fusion, etc. and having aplurality of panels 38 formed along its length by having the two sheetsconnected together substantially from the lower end to the upper end ofthe curtain. The upper end of the curtain is secured to the geosyntheticmaterial used to form the covering material, by a permanent connection(e.g., sewing, heat fusion, etc.) or temporary connection such as azipper connection of the type described above. The lower end includes asleeve 40 that has retained therein a length of ballast chain 42. Thelower end also has anchors 44 secured along its length to further assistin maintaining the lower end of the curtain substantially against thefloor of the body of water.

[0044] To allow for cleaning of the curtain 16, the system also includesthe gas injection system 18. This system includes a source of compressedgas 46 such as a pump or compressor, a series of conduits 48, 48′ thatcarry the compressed gas to the curtain, and a plurality of outlets 50positioned between the sheets of geosynthetic material that form thecurtain. Preferably, each panel 38 of the curtain includes one or moreoutlets. The conduits 48 can be integrated into the support system.Alternatively, the floating pipes 32 can be used to carry the conduitscontaining the compressed gas.

[0045] Referring now to FIGS. 3 and 4, a filtration system 110 inaccordance with a second embodiment of the present invention isdisclosed. The filtration system includes a water intake system 112 anda containment/exclusion boom that includes a support system 114, a boomcurtain 116, and a gas injection system 118.

[0046] The water intake system 112 is substantially the same as waterintake system 12 described in connection with the previous embodiment,including a main collector pipe 122 having a plurality of substantiallyequi-spaced primary intake pipes 124 in communication with an existingwater intake system 126.

[0047] The support system 114 of the containment/exclusion boom includesa plurality of vertical pilings 128 formed into two substantiallyparallel rows, and a floating structure connected thereto, with thefloating structure covering the area of the body of water that iscontained by the curtain. (see FIG. 4). The floating structure includesa first portion 130′ connected to one row of pilings and a secondportion 130″ of the floating structure connected to the other row ofpilings.

[0048] The first and second portions 130′,130″ independently floatfreely along the length of the pilings in the direction of the arrowsshown in FIG. 4. Both the first and second portions 130′,130″ arefloating concrete walkways that are known in the art, includingfoam-filled concrete walkways. These concrete walkways are, of course,weight-bearing surfaces. Installed between the first and second portions130′,130″ is a non-weight bearing covering material 136 of the typedescribed above. To protect against individuals from inadvertentlystepping onto the covering material 136, rails 134 are provided alongthe length of the support structure.

[0049] Connected to the floating structure is the containment/exclusionboom curtain 116. The curtain 116 is formed of two sheets ofgeosynthetic material secured together by sewing, heat fusion, etc. andhaving a plurality of panels 138 formed along its length by having thetwo sheets connected together substantially from the lower end to theupper end of the curtain. The upper end of the curtain is secured to thefirst and second portions 130′,130″ by suspending the entire curtainfrom hooks using turnbuckles or the like. The lower end includes asleeve 140 that has retained therein a length of ballast chain 142. Thelower end is also secured by tie-lines 143 (e.g., steel cable) to thepilings 128 or anchors 144 to further assist in maintaining the lowerend of the curtain substantially against the floor of the body of water.

[0050] To allow for cleaning of the curtain 116, the system alsoincludes the gas injection system 118. This system includes a source ofcompressed gas 146 such as a pump or compressor, a series of conduits148, 148′ that carry the compressed gas to the curtain, and a pluralityof outlets 150 positioned between the sheets of geosynthetic materialthat form the curtain. Preferably, each panel 138 of the curtainincludes one or more outlets. The conduits 148, 148′ can be integratedinto the support system.

[0051] As shown in FIG. 4, the support structure is in the form of aboat dock, whereby boats are capable of docking on the sides of thefloating first and second portions 130′,130″ which are nearest thepilings 128. Although not shown, it should be appreciated that anynumber of cleats can be provided for purposes of facilitating its use asa dock and bumpers can be provided for purposes of preventing damage tothe floating first and second portions 130′,130″ by contact with boats.These components have purposefully not been included for the sake ofclarity in viewing the drawings. This allows the filtration system toserve multiple functions which, in effect, camouflages its use as awater filtration system.

[0052] Referring now to FIG. 5, a filtration system 210 in accordancewith another embodiment of the present invention is disclosed. Thefiltration system includes a water intake system 212 and acontainment/exclusion boom that includes a support system 214, a boomcurtain 216, and a gas injection system 218.

[0053] The water intake system 212 is substantially the same as waterintake system 12 described in connection with the previous embodiments,including a main collector pipe 222 having a plurality of substantiallyequi-spaced primary intake pipes 224 in communication with an existingwater intake system.

[0054] The support system 214 of the containment/exclusion boom includesa plurality of flotation units 228 from which the boom curtain issuspended. The flotation units 228 are received within an upper sleeve230 of the curtain 216. The upper sleeve contains a number of slitsformed therein to facilitate insertion (or removal) of the flotationunits from the sleeve.

[0055] The curtain 216 is actually a double curtain, having left andright sides that are intended to surround the primary intake pipes 224.(The two sides merge together near the terminus of the main collectorpipe 222.) Each side of the double curtain is formed of two sheets ofgeosynthetic material secured together by sewing, heat fusion, etc. andhaving a plurality of panels formed along its length by having the twosheets connected together substantially from the lower end to the upperend of the curtain. The upper end for each side of the double curtain issecured to the upper sleeve by a permanent connection (e.g., sewing,heat fusion, etc.) or temporary connection such as a zipper connectionof the type described above. The lower end of each side of the curtainincludes a sleeve 240 that has retained therein a length of ballastchain 242. The lower end also has anchors 244 secured along its lengthto further assist in maintaining the lower end of the curtainsubstantially against the floor of the body of water. In the embodimentshown, the anchors and ballast together overcome the buoyant force ofthe flotation units, effectively maintaining the entire boom submerged.

[0056] To allow for cleaning of the curtain 216, the system alsoincludes the gas injection system 218. This system is substantially asdescribed above, including a source of compressed gas such as a pump orcompressor, a series of conduits 248, 248′ that carry the compressed gasto the curtain, and a plurality of outlets 250 positioned between thesheets of geosynthetic material that form the curtain. Preferably, eachpanel of the curtain includes one or more outlets.

[0057] Because the curtain 216 is anchored in a manner which precludesits upper end from breaching the surface of the water, the boom itselfremains hidden from the surface. This allows water traffic to passwithout hindrance. To mark the presence of the submerged boom, however,a buoy 260 is tethered to the upper sleeve 230.

[0058] For use of all filtration systems, i.e., upon connection to anexisting water intake system, water is drawn through the curtain intothe region surrounded by the curtain (in the direction of the arrowsshown in FIGS. 2, 4, and 5), at which time the water is filtered, andsubsequently filtered water is drawn through the plurality of inlets fordelivery into the water intake system. From time to time, the gasinjection system can be operated to clean impinging materials from thesurface of the curtain.

[0059] Thus, a further aspect of the present invention relates to amethod of filtering water entering a water intake system. A waterdelivery system is installed onto an existing water intake system suchthat it includes a plurality of inlets in a body of water that are influid communication with a water intake pump. Thereafter orsimultaneously therewith, a containment/exclusion boom of the presentinvention is installed in a manner such that the boom curtain surroundssubstantially all of the plurality of inlets. Following theinstallation, water can be drawn into the water intake system, wherebywater is drawn through the curtain, thereby filtering the water, priorto passing through the plurality of inlets for delivery into the waterintake system.

[0060] Although preferred embodiments have been depicted and describedin detail herein, it will be apparent to those skilled in the relevantart that various modifications, additions, substitutions, and the likecan be made without departing from the spirit of the invention and theseare therefore considered to be within the scope of the invention asdefined in the claims which follow.

What is claimed:
 1. A filtering system for filtering intake water of awater intake system, the filtering system comprising: a water intakesystem comprising a plurality of inlets in fluid communication with awater intake pump; and a containment/exclusion boom comprising: (i) asupport system positioned in a body of water, (ii) a curtain comprisinga sheet of flexible fabric material that allows movement of watertherethrough, the curtain having upper and lower ends with the upper endbeing connected to the support system, and (iii) means for maintainingthe lower end of the curtain substantially against the floor of a bodyof water; wherein the curtain surrounds substantially all of theplurality of inlets and wherein, upon operation of the water intakepump, water is drawn through the curtain at which time the water isfiltered, and subsequently filtered water is drawn through the pluralityof inlets for delivery into the water intake system.
 2. The filteringsystem according to claim 1 wherein the sheet of flexible fabricmaterial is a geosynthetic fabric.
 3. The filtering system according toclaim 1 wherein the curtain comprises two sheets of flexible fabricmaterial.
 4. The filtering system according to claim 3 furthercomprising: a gas injection system comprising a source of compressed gasin fluid communication with at least one outlet positioned between thetwo sheets of flexible fabric material.
 5. The filtering systemaccording to claim 4 wherein the curtain includes a plurality of panelseach defined by the two sheets of flexible fabric being connectedtogether substantially from the lower end to the upper end of thecurtain, the plurality of panels being spaced along the length of thecurtain.
 6. The filtering system according to claim 5 wherein the gasinjection comprises a plurality of outlets each in fluid communicationwith the compressed gas source, with one or more of the plurality ofoutlets being positioned between the two sheets of flexible fabric foreach of the plurality of panels.
 7. The filtering system according toclaim 1 wherein the support system comprises: a plurality of pilingsextending upwardly out of the body of water and a floating structureconnected to the plurality of pilings, the floating structure coveringthe area of the body of water contained by the curtain.
 8. The filteringsystem according to claim 7 further comprising: a collar surroundingeach of the plurality of pilings and being vertically adjustable alongthe length of the piling, with the floating structure being connected tothe collar.
 9. The filtering system according to claim 7 wherein theplurality of pilings are formed in a single row.
 10. The filteringsystem according to claim 9 wherein the floating structure comprises: apair of floating pipes spaced apart from one another, a plurality ofstruts spanning between the pair of floating pipes, and a coveringmaterial that encloses the region between the pair of floating pipes.11. The filtering system according to claim 10 wherein the coveringmaterial is a non-weight bearing cover.
 12. The filtering systemaccording to claim 7 wherein the plurality of pilings are formed in atwo substantially parallel rows.
 13. The filtering system according toclaim 7 wherein the floating structure comprises: a first portion of thefloating structure connected to one row of the plurality of pilings anda second portion of the floating structure connected to another row ofthe plurality of pilings.
 14. The filtering system according to claim 13wherein the first and second portions of the floating structure arespaced apart, the floating structure further comprises: a coveringmaterial that encloses the region between the first and second portionsof the floating structure.
 15. The filtering system according to claim14 wherein the covering material is a non-weight bearing cover.
 16. Thefiltering system according to claim 13 wherein the first and secondportions comprise weight-bearing surfaces.
 17. The filtering systemaccording to claim 1, wherein the fluid delivery system comprises: anelongate main collector conduit in fluid communication with the waterintake pump and a plurality of primary intake conduits in communicationwith the main collector conduit, each of the plurality of primary intakeconduits comprising one inlet.
 18. The filtering system according toclaim 17, wherein the plurality of primary intake conduits are spacedapart along the length of the main collector conduit.
 19. The filteringsystem according to claim 18, wherein the plurality of primary intakeconduits are substantially equi-spaced along the length of the maincollector conduit.
 20. The filtering system according to claim 1 whereinthe support system comprises a plurality of flotation units.
 21. Thefiltering system according to claim 20 wherein the upper end of thecurtain comprises a sleeve in which is received the plurality offlotation units.
 22. The filtering system according to claim 21 whereinthe curtain comprises two sides, each side being formed of two sheets offlexible fabric material and including a plurality of panels eachdefined by the two sheets of flexible fabric being connected togethersubstantially from the lower end to the upper end of the curtain, theplurality of panels being spaced along the length of each side of thecurtain.
 23. The filtering system according to claim 22 wherein eachside of the curtain includes the maintaining means, with the lower endof the two sides being located on opposite sides of the plurality ofinlets.
 24. The filtering system according to claim 1 wherein thecontainment/exclusion boom is submerged.
 25. A combination boat dock andwater filtering system comprising the water filtering system accordingto claim 1, wherein the support structure is in the form of a boat dock.26. A method of filtering water entering a water intake systemcomprising: providing a water delivery system comprising a plurality ofinlets in a body of water that are in fluid communication with a waterintake pump; installing a containment/exclusion boom into the body ofwater in a manner surrounding substantially all of the plurality ofinlets, the containment/exclusion comprising: (i) a support systemadjacent the plurality of inlets, (ii) a curtain comprising a sheet offlexible fabric material that allows movement of water therethrough, thecurtain having upper and lower ends with the upper end being connectedto the support system, and (iii) means for maintaining the lower end ofthe curtain substantially against the floor of the body of water; anddrawing water through the water intake system, whereby water enteringthe water intake system is drawn through the curtain, thereby filteringthe water, prior to passing through the plurality of inlets for deliveryinto the water intake system.